Ever encounter a coral snake?

[Sigarms]

From now on, I look at coral snakes with about as much hesitation as an opossum. If i ever see one again.

Can you please explain this statement?

I'd pretty much look at ANY snake (let alone venomous) with more hesitation than an opossum, but that's just me.

 

[strantor]

Can you please explain this statement?

I'd pretty much look at ANY snake (let alone venomous) with more hesitation than an opossum, but that's just me.

Opossums are filth to me. I wouldn't touch one without gloves. Not because I'm afraid of it, but because it would feel like picking up a random bum's turd off a Seattle sidewalk. Like a bum's turd, I wouldn't run in fear from an opossum; likewise (now) a coral snake. They're to be avoided but not feared like a crazed death machine.

I keep forgetting that not everyone feels the same way about opossums. Some people think they're cute and make good pets. Maybe I should have said a rat instead. But, then some people keep rats as pets too. So, a bum's turd it is. Nobody has pet bum turds.

 

[/pine]

Somewhere in one of our freezers I have a coral snake (minus the head) that is only 3/4" shy of at the time was the FL state record...I think it's about 36"...

 

[strantor]

Somewhere in one of our freezers I have a coral snake (minus the head) that is only 3/4" shy of at the time was the FL state record...I think it's about 36"...

Dang! That's humongous (for a coral snake).

 

[oosik]

NO - not here in NE WA state. The Western Rattle snake is more than enough - thank you.

 

[Sigarms]

Opossums are filth to me. I wouldn't touch one without gloves. Not because I'm afraid of it, but because it would feel like picking up a random bum's turd off a Seattle sidewalk. Like a bum's turd, I wouldn't run in fear from an opossum; likewise (now) a coral snake. They're to be avoided but not feared like a crazed death machine.

I keep forgetting that not everyone feels the same way about opossums. Some people think they're cute and make good pets. Maybe I should have said a rat instead. But, then some people keep rats as pets too. So, a bum's turd it is. Nobody has pet bum turds.

You should read up on possums like you did on coral snakes.

Possums rarely ever get rabbies and they are actually pretty good "care givers" of the environment. Although they generally won't go after a large venomous snake, they have been known to eat small venomous snakes as well, as they are immune from most snake venoms. Biggest job though is probably taking care of ticks. They make look like filth, but they do a pretty good job of cleaning up the ground.

In my youth, I never liked them (possums) because they looked like large white ugly rats LOL

Huge difference between a possum and a rat though.

By the way, never owned either a rat or a possum as a pet

 

[strantor]

You should read up on possums like you did on coral snakes.

Possums rarely ever get rabbies and they are actually pretty good "care givers" of the environment. Although they generally won't go after a large venomous snake, they have been known to eat small venomous snakes as well, as they are immune from most snake venoms. Biggest job though is probably taking care of ticks. They make look like filth, but they do a pretty good job of cleaning up the ground.

In my youth, I never liked them (possums) because they looked like large white ugly rats LOL

Huge difference between a possum and a rat though.

By the way, never owned either a rat or a possum as a pet

Yeah, yeah I've heard their case. But their appearance is inexcusable. If it walks, talks, and acts like a methed up gator coon, well.... it is unwelcome here. I promise i'll never warm to them, but is it enough if I promise not to murder them without justification*?

*ex: in retaliation for murdering my chickens.

 

[Sigarms]

Yeah, yeah I've heard their case. But their appearance is inexcusable. If it walks, talks, and acts like a methed up gator coon, well.... it is unwelcome here. I promise i'll never warm to them, but is it enough if I promise not to murder them without justification*?

*ex: in retaliation for murdering my chickens.

I believe both you and I know that was a stupid question

 

[grsthegreat]

the only snake we have here is a garden snake. there are hobo spiders and brown recluse spiders, but i have never seen one in 27 years. oh, i hate snakes

 

[Wagtail]

Do you have a source for that?
"Coral Snakes: Colors, Bites, Farts & Facts | Live Science" Coral Snakes: Colors, Bites, Farts & Facts | Live Science

Perhaps you are falling for the trap of most deadly vs most venomous? For example, i heard (did not confirm) that the daddy long legs spider is one of the most venomous spiders around, but its fangs are so short it cannot bit mammals. So it's harmless. I don't know if that's true but assume it is for the sake of example.

There are several sites (via Google)... here's one that's comprehensive: List of dangerous snakes - Wikipedia and lists according to venom.

"Most deadly vs. most venomous" can be a matter of semantics. :snake: